Jusuf Kalla Defends Cardboard Ballot Box in Today's Memory, December 18, 2018

JAKARTA - Remembering today, seven years ago, December 18, 2018, Vice President (Wapres), Jusuf Kalla (JK) emphasized the use of cardboard (cardboard) voting boxes as a form of efficiency. The voting box has even been approved by the General Election Commission (KPU) and political parties in Indonesia.

Previously, the KPU's decision to use cardboard ballot boxes had sparked controversy. All Indonesians protested because they doubted the strength and safety of cardboard boxes.

Political contests from the regional level to the presidential election are important events that cannot be delayed. The presence of the election is proof that the democratic system is running. The point is, the cost of democracy holding elections is not cheap.

The state often spends a lot of money every time it holds political contests. Recently, to welcome the 2019 political year, the KPU has the idea of saving election-related funds. The owner of the authority wants to make budget efficiency.

The efficiency step chosen was to replace the ballot boxes, which used to be made of aluminum, with cardboard. The change actually sparked a controversy. All Indonesians protested. They considered the presence of cardboard ballot boxes as a form of KPU's lack of seriousness in managing elections.

Cardboard boxes are considered to bring many harms, rather than benefits. Cardboard boxes are believed to be easy to cheat. Boxes can easily be broken into. Not to mention the durability of the box which is not strong so it is easy to break.

"We want the KPU to provide a comprehensive, holistic, and clear argument that ensures the use of the box will not take away the rights of citizens. The public just needs KPU's explanation," said the spokesperson for the National Victory Agency (BPN) Prabowo-Sandiaga, Andre Rosiade as quoted by the Tirto page, December 16, 2018.

Criticism related to the cardboard ballot box came from everywhere. The criticism even disturbed JK's mind. The Vice President then responded to criticism related to the cardboard ballot box on December 18, 2018.

JK considers the change of the ballot box from aluminum to cardboard as a form of electoral budget efficiency. JK also considers that the decision was not only approved by the KPU. Existing political parties have expressed their support.

As a result, JK is convinced that the cardboard ballot box will not be easily damaged. JK considers that the KPU does not need to replace the cardboard ballot box. The ballot box is considered suitable for use in the 2019 Election.

"Of course one of them (saving the budget). And don't forget that it has been approved by each party. By the KPU and the parties have agreed."

"Seng even if you want to destroy it, you can destroy it. If this can be layered. And many countries use it. One of the reasons why the cardboard (is used), because the experience of aluminum is difficult to store. Because it is expensive today, and many are damaged and must be replaced. The damaged one is just a replacement, right (not) all the cardboard," said Kalla as quoted by the lamankompas.com, December 18, 2018.